Gossip at the rink

Today I noticed a lot of gossip going on at the rink. What went on at your ice arena today?

World Figure Skating Champions Don't Always Win at Life

There is are two former world figure skating champions living in our town. Both won their titles long ago. Both did well at first. One went on to train other national, world, and Olympic skaters. He was at the top of the figure skating coaching scene for awhile. The other was given the best pair skaters to train.

Both of these figure skating legends then began drinking. Both eventually had failed marriages. (One had three failed marriages.)

Once, one of these champions told me that winning worlds didn't seem like much of an accomplishment, when, now, he could not afford a phone or a decent car. He was scrambling to teach enough adult figure skaters just to pay the rent. Winning worlds didn't give him a ticket to a successful life.

Why Find a Skating Partner?

The reason a figure skater should consider skating with a partner instead of alone is that it is more fun to skate with a partner. Also, there are so many solo skaters out there, that doing ice dance or pairs increases a figure skater's chances.

It is hard to find a partner though and sometimes it's harder to keep partners together.

Sometimes if the parents can't get along, the skating partnership won't work.

How to Find a Skating Partner

One resource that those looking for skating partners use is IcePartnerSearch.com. The service, endorsed by U.S. Figure Skating, allows ice skaters looking for skating partners to post biographical information, photos, videos, contact information, and qualifications. Data is entered by skaters and searching the partner database is simple. Ice dancers can also try Ice-dance.com's partner search. Sk8Stuff.com also has an easy to use a partner search database.

A skater may be honored if you approach him or her about the possibility of being your pair or ice dance partner. Sometimes getting the nerve up to ask is the most difficult part of a skating partner search. After asking about the possibility, arrange a tryout. The tryout could turn into a partnership.

If you really want to skate with a partner, keep looking and keep skating. Don't give up. The perfect person to skate with may be out there, but finding a skating partner may take time.

When Is it Time to Quit Figure Skating?

A young man wrote:

"I was an ice skater and I loved it, but over time, I lost that love for it, so I did the only thing there was for me to do. I quit. I hung up my skates and they haven't been touched since."

When is it time to quit figure skating? Share your thoughts.

Technique: Who is RIGHT and who is LEFT behind?

Help! During a skate session, I was sitting by a coach who was putting their skates on, and talking about how some other well-regarded coaches are teaching incorrect technique. They complained that one coach has their skaters put their hands down low doing a jump. And another coach has their skaters' put their toe behind and across their front leg going into a jump - but really it should just be directly behind.

I have never skated myself, and I don't know these things. When my skater had to change coaches, the new coach(es) had my skater retreat from doing doubles and re-learn single jumps with a different technique. My skater HAS improved, but the original coach had told me that where my skater is now (more height and strength) would come in time, and with repetition and practice, and maybe it would have. Getting to the same place, just from a different route.

In another skater's situation, when they moved to our club, the new coach also changed a skater's jumps when they took over their training, and had them re-learn just about everything, explaining that what the skater was doing was fine for doubles, but that technique would never hold when the skater started to do triples. That coach has trained many champions, so who is going to argue? The skater started from scratch and spent a year re-learning everything. The skater is now doing great, by the way. But would the skater be doing as great with another coach, with a different method? There are a number of schools of thought...

As a matter of fact, if you want to add a coach to your line up, (maybe a jump coach, or a choreographer, let's say, that you've noticed getting really good results with other skaters,) many times your current coach will discourage those certain other coaches that you think are good, claiming that they teach differently and it would only confuse your skater. So, no, they will tell you -- don't take from that coach -- try this coach -- and they often go on and recommend a coach that falls in with their method. It's "coach etiquette" that you get permission from your primary coach before you do anything with any other coach, including off-ice.

So, which coach(es) is/are "right" and how do you know, especially if you yourself are unschooled in skating? And even if you are knowledgable, every coach has a different opinion. Is there a best approach? Is my skater learning correct technique? Will I be told, if we change coaches at some point, that my skater needs to re-learn everything (again) RIGHT, from foundation up, or my skater will be LEFT behind? It's scary, considering the cost of training and the age of the skater, to think about this. Because even if your coach is getting excellent results NOW, what about the skater's foundation for later work, as I "heard" (granted from another skate mom who has put her already excellent skater with this "championmaker" of skaters) talk about? And remember, I also heard the other excellent coach complain about some very well-regarded coaches' methods, along with a story or two of how one "ruined" more than one skater's perfectly good jumps...

Reputation doesn't always tell all it seems... The very first "tot" coach my skater took lessons from apparently doesn't have a good reputation, and it reflected on my skater's reputation, even now, many years later (Who's your coach?)

So, HELP -- I don't know what to think or which coach is worth the investment of so much time and money. Anybody getting ready to switch coaches? What are YOUR feelings, knowledge or experience? And who do you trust -- how do you decide who to trust your skater's future to?

Contribute to "As the Blade Turns"

Can you think of some great "soap opera" figure skating stories? You can contribute to "As the Blade Turns!" Share your ideas !

Some suggestions of what could be happening include:

1. Two juvenile level skaters were once friends, but after one of the skaters makes junior nationals and the other does not, there is tension not only between the girls, but their parents.
2. A female pair skater has gotten too big for her partner. A new partner has been found, but the girl is miserable skating with the new partner. She wants her former partner to skate with her again.
3. A well-known ice dancer quits skating. Her partner is conducting a nationwide partner search.
4. A prominent coach finds out that her student wishes to change coaches.
5. A skating family is torn apart due to the stress of skating. Divorce is inevitable.
   A promising female skater loses an international event and wonders if she should leave figure skating.
6. A young skater's father dies suddenly of a heart attack right before a major skating event.
7. A Russian coach suddenly disappears.
8. A promising skater's father is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.
9. During an ice dance practice, two dance teams collide. One of the skaters involved is seriously injured.
10. After experiencing a major family disaster that has left a family financially strained, a senior level figure skater surprises everyone at the rink and wins regionals. How will she skate at sectionals? Will she qualify for nationals? Can she continue to afford to skate?

Can you think of other scenarios? Share your stories!

Who Needs School?

A very controversial issue in figure skating is the issue of school. As figure skating training schedules increase, figure skaters find it very difficult to attend school and sometimes must decide to not attend a physical brick and mortar school at all.

It is very difficult to train at figure skating before or after a full traditional school day, so figure skating families much of the time must consider alternatives in education. Somtimes it is impossible to get enough hours of training in for figure skating without at least considering and trying these alternatives.

There is no one solution or answer to the question on whether a figure skater should attend a traditional school or seek alternatives. Every family must decide what is best for their lives and for their children.

Homeschooling, distance education, or internet based virtual education have given figure skaters more options. Private schools also have provided alternatives. Skaters who chose non-traditional methods of education may have some advantages, but those who choose to pursue a full-day public school education and skate should be encouraged and admired.

Popularity and "who's your coach?"

Popularity begins with fitting in. At our rink, most skaters belong to our FSC (figure skating club), and are all supposed to show good sportsmanship and support each other. But there is still an "in" crowd, broken into cliques depending on age, level and discipline, and if you are not "in", you definitely stand out or worse, fade into the background... So how do you become "cool" and make friends?

The most important question the parent or skater will be asked seems to be "Who's your coach?" If you take lessons with a top coach, it may not guarantee you will be liked, but at least you will be noticed, known and high-fived -- having "bonding" opportunities and fitting in to some degree. If you take from a lesser coach, you will need to work harder on every level to be part of the team, coming to skate everyday at a place where "everybody knows your name" (NOT.)

To a lesser degree, parents can help or hinder popularity. They need to chat with the right people (parents of the "stars" or well-liked kids, board members, etc.), sit with the right people, do a favor and offer to pick up or drop off a popular skater, and very importantly: gossip "correctly."

If a skater hopes to fit in, get cheers and support from their peers or have someone to talk to or sit with between sessions, feeling "part of the club," they are sliding a slippery slope (to be or do, or to not be or not do, or ???.) So, some just come and work on their skating and are not bothered by acceptance. Some are shy. But others are very much aware of their club and it can be daunting to a young, growing personality to not "really" be part of the club, even though they paid to be a member for years, show up every day to skate, try to fit in and make friends... What are they doing "wrong?" Will this social acceptance or lack of, ultimately effect their enjoyment of the sport?

I don't think that the youngest skaters are seriously effected by social stigma, but as the blade turns, skaters develop and hit puberty -- is it important for a skater to fit in and have friends at the rink they skate at? I think it is, since the other "rink rats" are the kids that understand what it takes to train and compete. Friends at school or down the street can't really understand or offer support. As a matter of fact, my skater has had friends (more than one) urge them to skip a session to "play." My skater has to explain to them that they want to skate, and to skate, they have to go and train. There is rarely time off. It's hard. Which is why they need friends at their rink who are also skaters and who understand. And who else can your skater share the thrill of finally landing their (double, triple) axel cleanly with (and again, who will really understand, besides their coach or other skaters)?

Well, no matter, as your skater will learn along with technique, life is hard and slippery as ice, whether you are in school, playing another sport, or at the rink. But meanwhile, by the way, who's your coach?

famous skaters I've bumped into

As an adult skater, I find the sessions I share with competitive kids to be, well, terrifying. I do ice dance, and have modest hopes of passing my bronze test. I do my best to stay out of the way, but it seems to work like clockwork. I'm trying to do my willow waltz to the best of my ability, but manage to run afoul of a pair of competitors. I zig, they zag, and then I'm on the ice, looking up. Thanks to my skating at this fabulous training center, I get run over by some very well known skaters. You can't do THAT just anywhere!

Boys and Figure Skating

Boys in figure skating come in small quantities. Our particular figure skating training center has more boys skating than most ice rinks have.

In general, boys who figure skate get along better with each other than girls do. They are still very competitive, but also enjoy being friends.

We have boys that wish to pursue single skating, but also many of our older boys do pairs or ice dancing.

One boy at our rink is thirteen years old. He wasn't able to compete at "Junior Nationals" since he began skating when he was eleven. By the time he was good enough to "make it," he was told that he started to skate just a bit late in life. He's not letting his age stop him, and is working hard.

Other boys at our facility are little guys with "lots of time" ahead of them. They know they can do our sport seriously for at least ten to fifteen more years.

One boy is only 9 years old, and can land all his double jumps. Another isn't so sure he wants to skate anymore, but is considering ice dancing. Another ten year old boy just broke his leg when he began to learn a double Axel.

Who's your coach?

It almost seems that there is a hierarchy of skater popularity, and of course, each child's personality has a great deal to do with where they stand in the club at their rink. Good sportsmanship demands we all cheer for everyone, but some kids get way more peer support than others. And don't forget, for the skater to be part of the popular crowd, the parent has a big responsibility too.



So many questions... But it seems that a super important question is "Who's your coach?" If you do not take lessons from one of the top coaches, the skater's standing suffers a bit. And often the best coaches are a bit more expensive, or require a certain number of sessions a week. And it is often hard to get a spot with them, or perhaps you started with a different coach and it's not "political" to switch coaches in mid-stream.



So, what's a poor family to do if their child wants to be a great skater and feel comfortable, accepted and known at their club? Do they need to be popular and in with the right clique at the rink? Can the skater succeed with a coach that does not have as many "successes" under their belts? Should, or even can they consider switching coaches? Will it help their child have that little extra support and loud cheering from their coaches other students, to help push them towards fun and success? If your skater is loving what they do, does any of the politics matter? How old is your skater? Is popularity is important?... Or can you insulate your skater and let them do what they love without being part of a successful coach's "kids." And can a skater succeed without their family going into masssive amounts of debt? Hmmm.....

Our Up and Coming LIttle Figure Skating Stars

Our rink is full of many up and coming little "skating stars."

There are several adorable little girls training at our rink. Each little girl would love to make the Olympics, but instead, at this time, each little girl is working on mastering double jumps. Each of these little girls have already committed to skating two to three 45-minute practice sessions a day five days a week, take modern dance and ballet classes, power stroking, and take at least 5 to 8 private lessons per week. Some have additional choreography lessons.

Each of these little girls comes with at least one parent that is always at the rink. Most of these parents sit in the rink's stands during every practice session.

Home of Figure Skating Champions

The "Mountain Ice Arena" has been the home of figure skating champions for many, many years. The "High in the Mountains Figure Skating Club" is one of the most famous and prestigious figure skating clubs in the world. Many of the club's members have won medals at National, Olympic, and World figure skating events.

Atmosphere in the Bleachers

The atmosphere at our rink can be tense at times. Actually, much can be learned about figure skating right in the rink's bleachers. Drama can take place since an alternative "not so healthy" skating world may exist in the stands.

Gossip occurs. In the ice arena's bleachers, good and bad information about certain coaches and other skaters can be obtained.

Coaches

Our facility has some of the best coaches in the country. One of the coaches seems to have a method that does make figure skating champions. Her methods work so well that the skaters just keep coming.

Another coach creates the best pair skaters. He appeared "out of nowhere" just a few years ago, but now has a proven track record that continues to draw the best pair skaters to our facility.

The facility also has a great ice dance program. Two of the rink's coaches have produced many national and international medalists. These two coaches each have their own group of skaters and do not work together.

The arena has many other very talented and knowledgeable coaches that assist where they are needed. Others have their own clientele who are drawn to the coach based on the the reputation of the individual.

In addition, two of the world's most well-known figure skating choreographers are based at our training center.

Finances

At our skating facility, there are the many families where skating is financed completely by grandparents, and then, there are families who scrape together every penny to pay for their child's skating. Somehow, they all make it work.

Relocating for Ice Skating Training

There are families that have two homes: some have a main home in whatever city they call "home," and an apartment near our figure skating training center. Most of these families have a father that lives and works in the town where the original home was. "Mom" lives in the little apartment with the child that is pursuing his or her figure skating dreams.

One family's father recently died of a heart attack shortly after his wife and only child came to the mountains especially for figure skating. That family has decided to stay and skate, rather than return home.

Also, there are a several teenage boys who have come to our figure skating center to skate with some of the girls who are already settled at our facility. One boy, has come to skate especially with "Janet," a beautiful ice dancer who has already won many medals. Another boy, "J.R.," has arrived just in time to begin his junior year of high school. "J.R." is an only child, but wants to pursue his pair skating dream and the pair partner he's found at our skating faciility can make his dream happen. Leaving home and family is worth it.

Another skater is named "Agatha." Her entire family, parents, grandparents, siblings, have sold everything they own and all share a small apartment in our town so that "Agatha" can skate and train.

Introduction

Have you ever noticed that skating rinks have soap operas going on every day? Young figure skaters can be competitive. Every parent wants the best for his or her child and drama occurs on and off the ice. Jealousy is at the rink. Yes, the figure skating world certainly is a dramatic one!